1 The Beacon / Summer-Fall 2017

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Saturday evening, we gathered for a P-A-R-T-Y and what a celebration it was!

1 The Beacon The New England District Lutheran Women s Missionary League Newsletter Summer/Fall 2017 Jennifer Gierke, Acting Editor Beacon@LWML-NED.org LOOKING AHEAD We celebrated the 75th anniversary of LWML as the women s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod during the LWML Convention in Albuquerque, NM. Saturday evening, we gathered for a P-A-R-T-Y and what a celebration it was! Each district, represented by the President, past Presidents, and Young Woman Representatives, entered the Convention Hall in a pre-determined order. You might be imagining a sedate procession, but no we ran throughout the Hall, or at least walked very quickly in a zig-zag-fashion! Meanwhile, the remaining three thousand attendees in the Hall had their own noise-makers and cheered for their district. There were lights, there was music, there was action! A cacophony of joy! And that was just the first 15 minutes! Once we settled down, the rest of the program unfolded with a look back through the decades of LWML, from the 1940s through the 20teens. Each decade was represented with headlines from the news and news from LWML. We were treated to an Acapella rendition of a period song, a time-traveler interview with LWML ers of the day, and a sketch from a period movie. It was a trip down memory-lane. Very, very nice. Inside this issue: LWML-NED Fall Retreat 2 Zone Rally Info 3 Convention Highlights 4-5 YWR Reflections 6 Mites at Work 7 Treasurers Report 8 The best decade, though, was represented by a time-traveler interview to the future! We heard from a young LWML woman of 2092, 75 years in the future! The future was fuzzy -- it was hard to tell what she was wearing and what electronic devices she had. But this LWML woman of the not-too-distant future was excited to be using her God-given gifts in ministry to the people of the world. She related that the LWML still Served the Lord with Gladness through missions locally and throughout the world. She was especially grateful for the LWML women who preceded her, who built a strong foundation for the organization to continue to grow. Your LWML-New England District is also building for the future by seeking to include ALL of our LCMS sisters in the mission, goals, and resources of LWML. New England is blessed to have several congregations of new Americans, who may or may not speak English primarily. We are going to use the LWML Heart-2-Heart Sisters program to reach out to these sisters, and intentionally love and invite all. I hope to see you all at the Retreat and your Zone Rally! Serving Christ, with you, joyfully, as your partner in the Gospel! Barbara Lis 1 The Beacon / Summer-Fall

1 Corinthians 10:4 You don t need to be an agriculturalist to understand and grow as you study the words of Scripture.

2 You are invited to join us for the LWML-NED Fall Retreat November 3-4, 2017 The Rock Speaks All drink the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 You don t need to be an agriculturalist to understand and grow as you study the words of Scripture. Drawing from Cindy s observations of rocks and soil, words from the Old Testament, and events in the New Testament, this retreat will reveal how Jesus calls you into a deeper understanding of creation and salvation. Come join your LWML-NED Sisters in Christ for a weekend of fellowship, singing and relaxation! Registration Forms are available on our website at Note: Hotel reservations should be made directly with the hotel. Mention booking for LWML Retreat. Holiday Inn, Enfield, CT * Room Rate: Single, Double, Triple or Quad occupancy (including full, hot buffet breakfast + gratuity) $99+ tax Room Rates and Availability cannot be guaranteed after October 3, Friday s program: 7:00 pm 9:00 pm (Registration begins at 6:00) *** Please note: Dinner is on your own. *** Saturday s program: 8:30 am 3:00 pm Cindy owns and operates Steinbeck Vineyards and winery, a seven generation family business in Paso Robles, CA. Cindy, a retired Director of Christian Education, has written The Vine Speaks, Grapes of Grace and The Rock Speaks through CPH. Her writing in these conversational Bible Studies reflect her passion for the vineyard and the vine, soil and rocks through which she proclaims God s word and work to bring growth, connectedness and a deeper faith in Christ the true vine and the cornerstone. Gifts from the Heart: Please consider bringing new non-skid slipper socks, white socks (No Elastic), white cotton hankies, T-Shirts or underwear, sweatpants or sweatshirts (Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL only). These will be given to the veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. 2 The Beacon / Summer Fall

Northern Zone Fall Rally September 23rd at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Gorham, Maine 9:00 9:45 Sign in and coffee time Salad Bar Luncheon: $5 donation Our Speaker is Deaconess Kim Sliniger from Hope

Items needed are: Shaving Cream, Shampoo, Body Wash, Deodorant, Bird Seed, Shepherd Hooks, Sports Items: T-shirts, hats, banners, and sports posters.

Our use of the word fellowship in congregational settings comes from the Greek word koinonia.

gathering. Come and listen to Pastor Justin Smith reflect on this New Testament idea and how the New Testament s view of koinonia can still shape our congregational life today.

3 Northern Zone Fall Rally September 23rd at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Gorham, Maine 9:00 9:45 Sign in and coffee time Salad Bar Luncheon: $5 donation Our Speaker is Deaconess Kim Sliniger from Hope Lutheran, Bangor, ME. She will be speaking on Equine Therapy for Veterans with PTSD. We will have an In-Gathering for the Scarborough Veterans Home. Items needed are: Shaving Cream, Shampoo, Body Wash, Deodorant, Bird Seed, Shepherd Hooks, Sports Items: T-shirts, hats, banners, and sports posters. Also looking for portable CD players and Electric razors. Eastern Zone Fall Luncheon Koinonia Zone Fall Gathering Fellowship is a word most Christians know. Our use of the word fellowship in congregational settings comes from the Greek word koinonia. Fellowship probably conjures up thoughts of pot-luck dinners, or some social setting after worship on a Sunday but when the New Testament uses the word koinonia it means more than only a social gathering. Come and listen to Pastor Justin Smith reflect on this New Testament idea and how the New Testament s view of koinonia can still shape our congregational life today. Saturday, October 24 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, New Fairfield, Connecticut. Contact Gail Milke for more information. 10:00 AM Registration 10:30 AM Program Begins Come, See God s Short Term Team Mission Work in Konin, Poland Sunday, October 1st 1:30-3:30pm at Lutheran Church of the Way in Raynham, Massachusetts. 1:00 pm registration (suggested $10 luncheon registration donation) Guest Speakers will be Leslie Colligan, St. Luke s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dedham, MA, Kylee Warnock, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Enfield, CT, and Pastor James Butler, St. Luke s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dedham, MA. Ingathering: school supplies for Gbarnga Lutheran School, Gbarnga, Liberia pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, paper, notebooks, magic markers, crayons, string bags (string backpacks) - NO pens, NO liquids i.e. glue RSVP contact: Pat Heather phone: or pat@heatherclan.com; or Chris Anop phone: or jmansgram@aol.com Celebrate LWML Sunday The first Sunday in October is traditionally set aside for the observation of LWML Sunday, but it may be celebrated at any time. Building on God s promises, we know that this is our time to be distinctly Lutheran. Since 1942, the LWML has affirmed each woman s identity as a child of God and her relationship with Jesus Christ, encouraging and equipping Christian women to live out their lives in active mission ministries, and to support missions around the world through their sacrificial gifts of mites, tithes, offerings, and tireless service. Now is our time to Be Ready to Confess! faithfully and boldly of Christ s redemptive work for us and for all the world. Resources are available at 3 The Beacon / Summer-Fall

LWML 37th Biennial Convention Albuquerque, MN June 22-25, 2017 Convention Highlights From Hilke Schirmer, Delegate, Mountain Laurel Zone Our attendance at the LWML CONVENTION in Albuquerque, New

Once I made up my mind to take part and mentioned the possibility that we could make use of the RV, I got Werner's (my husband) attention.

" This core message carried us every step for the duration of the convention, beginning with the opening service and ending with the service of sending.

4 LWML 37th Biennial Convention Albuquerque, MN June 22-25, 2017 Convention Highlights From Hilke Schirmer, Delegate, Mountain Laurel Zone Our attendance at the LWML CONVENTION in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in June, provided us with a great and blessed adventure this summer. Once I made up my mind to take part and mentioned the possibility that we could make use of the RV, I got Werner's (my husband) attention. More than three thousand four hundred people, mostly women, had registered and followed the invitation to focus on the theme "Jesus Christ Above All." This core message carried us every step for the duration of the convention, beginning with the opening service and ending with the service of sending. Exuberant in her faith, the song leader, Wendysue Fluegge, contributed to the joyful singing of the thousands of voices. She accompanied beloved old hymns and new faith songs on guitar and keyboard. The humorous but nevertheless thought-provoking "interruptions" by Katie von Bora-Luther (Jan Struck) every day highlighted the importance (and hardships) of the very first Lutheran women living 500 years ago. Many issues have changed substantially since then, but many challenges still exist and for 75 years LWML has served numerous people in need. During SERVING CONNECTIONS willing hands made and wrote encouragement cards for PHIL'S FRIENDS (to be distributed to cancer patients), produced quilts, collated Braille Bibles and calendars for visually impaired individuals, assembled school and personal care kits, and marked Bibles for prison inmates. The lively group of young women representatives encouraged especially those of us who have been praying for growth in our own societies. The Heart to Heart Sister Program has been gaining in numbers and services and the joy radiated from their faces when they spotted their countries' flags in the procession of a total of 71 flags representing the countries that have received mission grants from LWML in the past 75 years. I count my function as one of the NED delegates as an added blessing, privilege and learning experience. A new mission goal of $2,075,000 for the biennium was adopted. We pray that by the grace of our Lord our eagerness will remain strong to support this promise. President Patti Ross commented, "...We sometimes feel discouraged, especially if we are in a small group in a small congregation. That's why conventions such as this are so encouraging and uplifting..." LWML's involvement touches a multitude of areas; these four days were really needed to get the whole picture and to feel grounded in the knowledge that we have been called, each one, personally by Jesus to extend and share His love and compassion. I am looking forward to attending the next one and will suggest to Werner that we should take a trip down south to Mobile, Alabama, June 20-23, Hopefully many women of our church will start planning to join as well. In the meantime, we will be inspired by HIS WORD to continue HIS WORK in our small but joyfully serving group. As a first-timer, I was impressed by the large attendance! I especially enjoyed the actor portraying Katie Luther who gave humorous but insightful viewings of her life. She showed that Katie was a powerful influence on Martin whether he realized it or not. And how about Past President Ida Mall's Key and Note speech! At our church, our Ladies Aid will be hosting a Potluck and Presentation on 9/12 sharing her speech with those that did not attend the convention...thanks to the website! We have invited all area Christian women to view her inspirations with us! Jan Krampitz, President of Holy Trinity Ladies Aid and LWML-NED Parliamentarian 4 The Beacon / Summer Fall

Don, Raeden & Sage Veino helping Martin Luther hang the 95 thesis The Mission Servants Paint the Planet Purple Booth in the exhibition hall.

NED caucus YWR Marissa Manor and NED President Barbara Lis with the NED Banner that was crafted by Jennifer Gierke Jennifer with President Kay

Friday night we were entertained by Mariachi San Pablo, a Lutheran Mariachi Band, a non-profit group who spread the Gospel through their music.

At any rate the silly Lutheran women loved them and were dancing and parading through the aisles in tune to the music.

had been given previously, we were prepared. There were many purple, glittering dresses and purple hairdos.

with those funds. KUDOS TO THE LWML! SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS!

5 Don, Raeden & Sage Veino helping Martin Luther hang the 95 thesis The Mission Servants Paint the Planet Purple Booth in the exhibition hall. Kudos to our own Leslie Colligan for organizing this and helping Seeing old friends and making new friends is one of the many blessings of going to Convention. Peggy Wang Sage, Kathy & Jennifer sporting their LWMLNED t-shirts at one of the meetings Marissa, Melia, Amy, Chris & Grace are all smiles at the NED caucus YWR Marissa Manor and NED President Barbara Lis with the NED Banner that was crafted by Jennifer Gierke Jennifer with President Kay Written by Alfred Schindler upon attending his first LWML convention with his wife Shirley. Friday night we were entertained by Mariachi San Pablo, a Lutheran Mariachi Band, a non-profit group who spread the Gospel through their music. Ever try singing "A Mighty Fortress" to Mariachi music? At any rate the silly Lutheran women loved them and were dancing and parading through the aisles in tune to the music. The 75th "Diamond Dazzle Celebration began at 7:30 pm and all were given flashing diamond rings upon entering and with the horns to blow which we had been given previously, we were prepared. There were many purple, glittering dresses and purple hairdos. I find it quite amazing how effective the LWML operates, the monies they collect from their mites and the amount of mission work they provide with those funds. KUDOS TO THE LWML! SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS! At the 2018 Convention, we will be voting to fill the following positions: Vice President Christian Life (In charge of the Fall Retreat; other) Vice President Gospel Outreach (Manager of Mission Grants) Vice President Communications (Publishes Pass It On; other) Treasurer Pastoral Counselor Nominating Committee (3) Please consider running for one of these positions. Contact Sherlene Skov at srskov@comcast.net or let Susan Dow or Donna Madonna know of your intentions. Remember, we are Serving the Lord with gladness! 5 The Beacon / Summer-Fall

Reflections from Young Woman Representative Marissa Manor.. I once heard someone describe Christian life as being similar to a relay race.

Such as the women we hear about in the New Testament, they did excellent work that we now get to continue.

The sheer number of women in attendance at the convention, many of whom were excited to go out of their way to talk with and encourage us young women in our efforts.

We were together each morning and evening, talking, singing and learning about all the work the LWML does.

I had grown up watching my grandma and mom attend LWML meetings and conventions. In High School I started attending myself. I had never truly appreciated the scope of the work being done.

6 Reflections from Young Woman Representative Marissa Manor.. I once heard someone describe Christian life as being similar to a relay race. In each leg you put in hard work and then pass the baton, and when you have the baton you work hard so that all the past work wasn't done in vain. Such as the women we hear about in the New Testament, they did excellent work that we now get to continue. This was something that struck a chord with me in my experience in as a Young Women's Representative (YWR) at the 2017 National LWML convention. The sheer number of women in attendance at the convention, many of whom were excited to go out of their way to talk with and encourage us young women in our efforts. Being surrounded by these examples of women was overwhelmingly encouraging, especially my fellow YWRs. We were together each morning and evening, talking, singing and learning about all the work the LWML does. Creating bonds with these Lutheran women was a blessing I had not expected to experience but something I will carry with me. I had grown up watching my grandma and mom attend LWML meetings and conventions. In High School I started attending myself. I had never truly appreciated the scope of the work being done. Hearing the mission grants being read was the highlight of the convention for me. When it came time to voting, seeing the tie between two grants and the motion being approved to increase the mite goal was such a beautiful tribute to the dedication to the work of spreading the Gospel. I cannot thank you enough for giving me the experience of being your Young Women's Representative and I cannot wait to continue to apply everything I learned and fostering the friendships I made. Above all I am grateful for the chance for my faith to be strengthened by being surrounded by and learning from Marissa receives her YWR pin from President Barb so many other faithful women and God's Word. It says in the beginning of Hebrews chapter 12: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God Young Women Reps Being surrounded by the LWML "cloud of witnesses" truly rejuvenated me to run with endurance my part in this relay race to share Christ. Have you see the new LWML logo? The previous logo, LWML with the tri-cross, was in use from 1991 to 2017, that s 25 years! Our new logo was unveiled at the convention. The heart represents the love and giving nature of our church and LWML; the drop symbolizes the blood of Christ and tear of compassion; and the cross above all else proudly shows the purpose behind the efforts of the Jennifer Gierke met up with her dear friend, Michelle Cyphers (who used to live in Massachusetts but now lives in California) at the convention. Their happy faces are on the home page of the LWML web site. 6 The Beacon / Summer Fall

Your NED Mites at Work: Short Term Mission Trip Dear Sisters In Christ, Again, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayer support and generous financial support of the LCMS Poland

The Konin, Poland Team also felt bathed in your prayers each day. The Polish children attending the English Bible Camp, ages 7-14, were pure joy!

They came back each day eager for fun, yet eager to learn too. It was such a blessing to see them coming in each day and people just dropping by the church to see what was happening.

7 Your NED Mites at Work: Short Term Mission Trip Dear Sisters In Christ, Again, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayer support and generous financial support of the LCMS Poland Mission this past Summer through the LWML-NED Short -Term Mission Scholarship. I thank God for you! His work was accomplished through you! The Konin, Poland Team also felt bathed in your prayers each day. The Polish children attending the English Bible Camp, ages 7-14, were pure joy! Only 6 or 7 of the 40 children were members of this church. You could see that many of the children had never heard The Poland Mission Team about Jesus. They came back each day eager for fun, yet eager to learn too. It was such a blessing to see them coming in each day and people just dropping by the church to see what was happening. Yes, Lord, may you continue to open those church doors wider! For more information about the Poland Mission, you are all invited to the LWMLNED Eastern Zone Rally, on October 1st. I hope to see you there. God s Blessings As You Serve Him, Leslie Colligan Gbarnga Lutheran Training Center (GLTC) I must express many thanks and much appreciation to God for life, wisdom, strength, protection, and provision for all of us from the day of the dream and exploration of the Gbarnga Lutheran Training Center work abroad in Liberia. Many thanks to you all for your confidence, continued support, and fervent prayers for the work in Liberia. We thank God ever so much since we opened GLTC School doors for instructional activities and other community based development in March 6, There has been great progress. Parents, guardians, sponsors, and especially our students have been very delighted and are very responsive to this development in their community. Through the efforts of God and our faithful security guards, the GLTC property and all its structures are tightly secure. The water system, both the hand pump and the water tower, is functioning flawlessly. Parents and guardians have been very helpful to the school s feeding program that provides all of the children with one nutritious meal per day. Thanks be to God for all these good things! For the teachers, a three-day refresher workshop was organized and implemented during the Easter break to empower the teachers for better instruction. The emphasis in this workshop was phonics, lesson planning and a presentation on classroom managment. As part of the fulfillment of the GLTC mission development, the Gbarnga Rotary Club team came and conducted a hand washing training session on May 18. Again, many thanks for your maximum support and prayers for the work in Liberia. Nathaniel Sumo, Principal All these good things and many more are still to come as we eagerly await the official school opening on Monday, September 25. We plan to open the doors to seventy-eight students who will be enrolled in the ABC, K-1, and K-2 classes. Sponsors are needed to support the children. Sponsorship costs $ per year per child. Please contact Pastor Schultz at the Gbarnga Lutheran Mission Project should you choose to sponsor a child. Call: and speak with our Secretary, Donna Buco, or speak directly with Pastor Schultz. All correspondence can be mailed to Gbarnga Lutheran Mission Project at 445 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, or see our website: gbarngamission.org. Thank you. Pastor Leon Schultz 7 The Beacon / Summer-Fall

Short Term Mission Scholarships awarded in 2017: Jon Rossman, Mt.

8 Our Mites are working in the lives of others! Here is what LWML-NED has awarded. Mission Grant #1 Short Term Mission Scholarships $6000 is PAID! Mission Grant #2 Central Food Ministry Truck $5000 is PAID! Mission Grant #3 Gospel Hands VBS for Deaf Children $3000 is PAID! Mission Grant #4a Church Worker Scholarships $7000 is FUNDED! Short Term Mission Scholarships awarded in 2017: Jon Rossman, Mt. Calvary, Acton, MA to Gbarnga, Liberia, building a Lutheran school; $400 Frank Sienkiewicz, Our Savior, Topsfield, MA to New Mexico, ministering to the Navajo nation with VBS; $400 Reverend Butler and Leslie Colligan, St. Luke s, Dedham, MA, and Kylee Warnock, Our Redeemer, Enfield, CT, $400 each for the LCMS Poland Mission for English Bible Camp. Church Worker Scholarship awarded in 2017: Alarik Morris, Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI, pre-seminary, $3500 "Thank you so much for this contribution it means so much to me and my family! With this help I currently am planning on heading right off to seminary after school and the help your organization has given me over these past few years has enabled me to do so. This will put a substantial dent in my tuition this year and I cannot thank you enough for your help and I hope your organization continues to give students this help as it is such a blessing to us. Thank you again so much!" Alarik Morris From the Treasurer Total amount collected for the Mission Goal ($ 64,000.00) is $ 36, Total amount collected for the NED Mission Projects ($ 41,600.00) is $ 23, Total amount collected for the LWML-National ($16,000.00) is $ 9, Total amount collected for the NED Administrative Costs ($ 6,400.00) is $ 3, Total amount collected for the Mission Grant 04b Hands of Grace ($ 4,000.00) is $ 2, As we get back to autumn schedules, please faithfully continue your mite donations. We want to fully fund grant Church Worker Scholarships (4a) and Hands of Grace, New Hartford, CT (4b) as soon as possible. Then we turn our attention to funding the grants for Comfort Dog Lydia, Messiah Lutheran, Lynnfield, MA (5a) and Immanuel Lutheran School, Bristol, CT (5b) totaling $10,000! May I suggest you turn in your mite donations right now, even if your mite box is not filled. First, we ll get encouragement right away, and secondly, an empty mite box is just crying to be fed! Shirley Schindler, Treasurer Please send mite donations to Shirley Schindler at 6 Davis Rd, Ellington, CT, If you have any questions, you may contact her at: treasurer@lwml-ned.org. 8 The Beacon / Summer Fall

On Lutheran Women s Missionary League

On Lutheran Women s Missionary League VOL. LIV, No. 52 English District Summer/Fall 2013 To order your materials you can call 800-252-LWML (5965) or by internet at www.lwml.org. LWML Sunday is the perfect